These Honey Ginger Pork Tacos are made in the slow cooker and topped with a simple pineapple salsa. An easy and delicious meal for your next taco night!
Oh how I adore these pork tacos! They're not your typical tacos though -- they're honey ginger pork tacos, which give them an Asian flare. Serve 'em simple or top them with this tasty pineapple salsa.
Though I always talk about how I adore quick meals (like my banh mi bowl and my honey soy salmon), I'm also a huge fan of slow cooker meals. Set it and let the crockpot do the work for you!
Recipe features
- A slow cooker meal, meaning it's very hands-off
- Seasoned with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger
- Topped with a simple and delicious pineapple salsa, making these tacos slightly reminiscent of al pastor tacos
Ingredients
Pork: Preferably pork shoulder or butt; you want to use a fattier cut of pork because it becomes tender the longer cooks, making it ideal to use in slow cooker recipes. I used boneless, but bone-in will work too.
Soy sauce: Can substitute tamari or coconut aminos if you prefer. However, coconut aminos is sweeter than soy sauce, so if you use that, you'll want to reduce the amount of honey you use.
Honey: A must! I don't recommend using maple syrup or agave -- honey is the way to go!
Garlic: Fresh garlic, not garlic powder.
Ginger: Same as above -- fresh ginger, not ground ginger.
Method
Step 1: Make the sauce. First, whisk the soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger together in a small bowl.
Step 2: Add the ingredients to your slow cooker. Next, spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray, then place the pork inside. Pour the sauce mixture over top.
Step 3: Slow cook, then shred. Cook the pork on LOW for 6 hours. Then, use two forks to shred the pork (it should shred very easily) and cook it for 30 more minutes.
Step 4: Assemble the tacos. The final step is to make the pineapple salsa, which should take less than 10 minutes. Then, add the cooked pork to your taco shell and top it with the salsa.
Tips and tricks
- I used boneless pork, so just know that if you use bone-in, you may need to cook it for longer.
- To make these gluten free: use tamari instead of soy sauce, and use gluten free tortillas. To make them paleo-friendly, follow the above steps, but also use arrowroot instead of cornstarch.
- If you love these tacos, you must try my slow cooker pulled pork, which also uses pork shoulder/butt and is incredibly tender.
Can I cook the pork on HIGH instead of LOW?
While many slow cooker recipes give you the option to cook on low or high, I highly recommend cooking the pork on LOW. Pork shoulder/butt becomes more tender and flavorful the longer it cooks, so allowing it to cook for 6-8 hours is ideal.
How should leftovers be stored?
Store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for 3 months.
More easy taco recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Honey Ginger Pork Tacos
Ingredients
- 2 lb. pork shoulder/butt boneless
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 4 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 10 taco shells
for the pineapple salsa:
Instructions
- Spray your slow cooker with nonstick spray, then place the pork in your slow cooker.
- Next, make the sauce: whisk the soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and cornstarch together, then pour the sauce overtop of the pork.
- Slow cook the pork on LOW for 6 hours. Then, use two forks to shred the pork (it should shred very easily!), then cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- At this point, you should make the pineapple salsa.
- Last, heat the tortillas, then top each one with a large spoonful of the pork, then top it with the salsa. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in May 2016. It was updated with new text and photos in July 2021.
Jess @hellotofit says
Ahhh! So I've expressed how much I love when you ladies collaborate, right?!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
That pork looks so tender! I love pork and pineapple together. And, uh, what's wrong with more tacos? NOTHING. 🙂
Les @ The Balanced Berry says
These look too good. The coconut just blew my mind.
I am definitely a crockpot person. I tend to use it more in the winter, because I kind of forget about it this time of year, but you and Christina are inspiring me to bust it back out and make some delicious tacos!
Nichole says
Wow! Beautiful pictures! These look delish, will be making them soon!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
cinco de mayo - the perfect excuse to whip up a mexican feast. and i definitely think that tacos are on the menu! thanks!
Christina @ The Blissful Balance says
Omg this pork looks so effing juicy. I've got to try these on Wednesday - GORGEOUS!!
Erin says
Thanks lady!! It IS super juicy.
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Oooh tacos for days!!! Love this collection - makes me wish these were all in front of me NOW - forgetabout in 3 days!
BTW - Erin especially loving this honey and ginger-flavored pork - it sounds insanely delicious!
Erin says
Thanks Shashi--it's definitely a winning flavor combo!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I can't think of a better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a plate of tacos and a margarita! The fact that these are made in a slow cooker makes it even better. I usually bust mine out in the winter but I agree that it's a good tool to use all year long.
Erin says
The ONLY better way to celebrate would be with a side of guac 😉
Lucia @ The Foodwright says
Oh my word, these tacos look AMAZING!!! Totally trying this as soon as possible. YUM.
Erin says
Thanks Lucia! Let me know if you do 🙂
Annie says
Ohhh!! I don't know which I want first!
Erin says
All at the same time?! Taco party style 😀
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
That pineapple salsa sounds amazing! Definitely adding it to my summer menu rotation 😀
Erin says
Ohh yeah and the addition of coconut was a good choice (if I do say so myself!)
rachel @ athletic avocado says
Slow cooked pork is the best way to eat pork because it's so tender and delicious. I love the sound of your honey ginger version with pineapple salsa, that sounds incredible!
Erin says
Thanks!! I agree--slow cooked IS the best way.